CBS2 Exclusive: Sisters Find Burglar Hiding In Bedroom Of LI Home
PLAINVIEW, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Authorities are searching for a man who broke into a Long Island home on Wednesday.
Katria, who asked to have her last name witheld for this story, told CBS2's Carolyn Gusoff she received a phone call from her home security company about a tripped burglary alarm on Wednesday afternoon.
Katria, who was at work at the time, said she decided to ignore it, thinking it was just a false alarm.
But when Katria returned home, she found someone hiding in her bedroom.
"I was pushing it this way and it wasn't moving and then the guy came out from behind here [her bedroom door] and I saw him and I screamed," Katria said.
According to Katria, the suspect said nothing as he bolted downstairs and tried to escape. Katria said her mother tried to stop the suspect, but he managed to get outside through the back door of the Plainview home.
"I called 911, they put me on hold until an operator came -- I was on hold for maybe one minute, two minutes," Katria said.
Nassau Police have come under fire recently for delays in 911 call center, Gusoff reported. The police commissioner said staffing levels are adequate and that 96 percent of calls are answered within 10 seconds.
It is unclear why the 911 call wasn't answered promptly.
Katria and her sister Yasmin told Gusoff they're speaking publicly about their ordeal because they believe there is an important safety message.
"If the alarm does go off, make sure you do take it seriously," Katria said.